The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-22

1T is said the Standard Oh Company mas
obtained control of the natural-gas we'll at
Noblesvile christened the wainwright Won
der and by long odds the most productive
well yet found in the State. 1t is difficult to
verify report of this kind but it is quite
likely to be correct The Standard Oil Com
pany moves in mysterious way its wonders
to perform. Its facilities for absorblng every
thing in sight are only equaled by its dispo-
sition. It's resources and its greed are alike
unlimited. It has been known for some time
that the company was operating in the Indi-
ana gas fields by means of its agents, but just
how and where, and to what extent has not
yet come to light. Considerable land was
leased in this vicinity some two or three
months ago by persons who were supposed to
represent that company and probably did 1t
will not be at all surprising if it shall prove
that the great well at Noblesville was sunk by
or for the company. The signs and rumors
all indicate that they are represented here by
their agents, and are watching the develop
ments very closely, with a view of taking
prompt advantage of them. They are shrewd
enough to know that there are great POSSIBLE
ties of speculation in the gas discoveries. and
their experience in Pennsylvania and Ohio
has taught them how to take advantage of the
situation at every point. Furthermore, they
are shrewd enough to know that the control,
or even partial control, of the natural gas sup
ply for city of one hundred thousand popu-
lation, with the manufacturing and railroad
facilities of Indianapolis, would be immensely
valuable. 1t is not surprising, therefore, that
they should be on the ground very early.
There is no way to prevent the Standard Oil
Company from coming into the State and op-
Grating here to any extent that it pleases. We
do not say that it ought to be prevented, if it
could be; we simply say it cannot be. Though
the company is a grasping corporation, with
all the, characteristics of "a bloated monop-
oily" it is, so far as we know, as free to oper-
ate in Indiana as in any other State. Nor
Coui1 IL NC pooitlHeiy dSSuTeu III ADVANCE tudC
its coming here would be thing to be regret
ted. 1t might or might not be; that would
depend on circumstances. Other things being
equal, we should prefer to see the control of
the Indiana gas wells and the acruing advan-
tages therefrom remain in Indiana hands.
But that may not be possible, and
certainly it were better these hidden
resources should be developed by
the Standard Oil Company than not
at all. A wealthy corporation, like this COM
pany, can do some things that one of ordi-
nary resources cannot. and, if properly re-
stricted and regulated. may be made to sub
serve the public welfare. 1t is not much to
the credit of indianapolis enterprise that this
company should have been permitted to slip
in and lease lands almost within the city
limits, while our people were waiting for a
dozen smaller towns throughout the State to
work out the gas problem. If it controls the
great we'll at Noblesville and other leased
lands in that vicinity it will make bold
push, with fair prospect of succeeding, to
control the natural gas supply for this city:
The situation would seem to be one to call
into prompt and vigorous action the spirit of
local enterprise with view of retaining the
| control of local interests.